Blissfield Band On the March After Camp

The Blissfield High School Band is ready for the Friday night lights.

Director Mark Hollandsworth, employing the help of several assistants, and the 40-member band completed band camp during the first week of August.

“Band camp is a condensed marking period of learning, but all in one week. It is intense learning,” said Hollandsworth, who begins his third year in the Blissfield Community Schools music program. “We learn a lot and have a lot of fun in those 40 hours.”

The band practiced small snippets of its half-time show. Sometimes, they practiced marching. Other times, they rehearsed the music. Often, they did both. Over and over again, under the hot sun. Sometimes backwards. Until they got it right – and they did, before putting it all together Friday evening at the high school football stadium for a special preview concert held for family and friends.

“It’s hard work, but they know they worked hard and accomplished things and I think they had fun doing it,” Hollandsworth said.

With 40 members, this year’s band is significantly larger than last year’s crew. But it’s also younger.

“We’re a very young band. 33 of the 40 members are in 10^th grade or younger,” Hollandsworth said before the band’s performance Friday. “But musically, we’re a strong group and that goes a long way. We’re building from that. The marching might be brand new. But the music is solid, as I hope you’ll hear tonight.”

Second-year sax player Robbie Powell said band camp came a little easier the second time around.

“I think it’s easier knowing what to do and how to do it,” said Powell, who added that the band had shaped up in a week’s time. “The band is really good. And I think more people are getting involved because it’s getting better.

Senior Rachel Shields was selected drum major. She plays alto sax, piano and, her favorite, oboe.

Hollandsworth said she exemplified all the traits he was looking for in a drum major.

“She’s a strong musician, a good leader, dependable, and she’s a good teacher,” he said. “I think she’d do great if she’s anything like what she’s been at camp, where she’s been awesome.”

Upon hearing she’d been selected for the duty, Shields immediately told her..

“I was honored to be drum major,” she said.

Her older sister Sarah was drum major two years ago.

“She’s helped me, giving me pointers here and there and helping with different aspects of the show,” she said.

When asked what people can expect from the marching band’s half-time show, Shields put it plainly:

“A lot of fun and great music.”

Hollandsworth said the half-time show will make people pay attention.

“We have a cool show that will appeal to the audience because there is familiar classical music and music from the Beatles,” he said.

The Blissfield Marching Band will play at the Royals’ first home game, Sept. 10.